Booting regulations passed

Score one for the little guy. The city has been fielding numerous complaints of late from citizens and tourists about predatory booting. And this morning City Council approved new booting regulations to help combat the recent problem.

“It’s clear there have been some predatory companies out there that have been unreasonably booting San Antonians and visitors and we want to put a stop to that,” Mayor Julián Castro said.

The new regulations go like this:

 No boot for first offense.

 Drivers are given an extra hour after time has expired on their parking time to pay for more parking or move their car, assuming the driver has paid for parking.

 The cap on charges for boot removal is $35. Some citizens complained about being charged $125 for boot removal.

 Boots must be removed within 30 minutes of vehicle owner notifying the booting company.

 Parking facilities now must issue receipts at the time of payment if they intend to use boots.

 Booting companies must obtain an operating permit from the police department.

Bobby Perez with Premier Parking Enforcement agreed with the ordinance, but complained that the $35 cap for boot removal was too little a fee when compared to other major Texas cities.

Castro asked City Attorney Michael Bernard to look into the city’s own booting policies and rates for removing boots. Bernard pointed out that the city does not boot on first offense. He said in regard to parking meters the driver will first be issued several tickets before being subject to the boot.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been booted six times by the city.